COLTON — A Dutchess County lawmaker is facing allegations of sexually abusing two Boy Scouts during an August outing in the Cranberry Lake area.

State police charged Michael N. Kelsey, 36, of Salt Point, with felony first-degree sexual abuse-helpless victim, forcible touching, a misdemeanor, and two counts of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.

Kelsey was picked up Monday night in Dutchess County by troopers and was brought to Pierrepont Town Court, where he was arraigned early Tuesday morning by Town Justice Robert B. Camp and released after posting $2,500 cash bail.

It is alleged Kelsey had sexual contact with two 15-year-old males between Aug. 13 and 20, when he was leading a Boy Scouts of America troop from Fishkill on a weeklong 50-mile hike and outdoor excursion and staying at the Massawepie Scout Camp on Massawepie Lake, in the Cranberry Lake area.

Kelsey has served on the Dutchess County Legislature for five years and was the Republican candidate this fall in an unsuccessful bid to oust the incumbent in the New York State Assembly’s 106th District. Kelsey was also endorsed by the Conservative Party.

Published reports from Dutchess County said Kelsey represents the towns of Amenia, Washington, Pleasant Valley and Millbrook on the Dutchess County Legislature.

According to statements made to troopers, the teenagers said Kelsey attempted to make sexual contact with them during evening hours on Aug. 13 and 16 while they were trying to sleep.

In a statement from the BSA Longhouse Council, which represents scouting in Central and Northern New York, including Cayuga, Onondaga, Oswego, Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis counties, Council President Scott Armstrong said Kelsey and the troop he was with were not affiliated with their north country council.

“Longhouse Council, Boy Scouts of America, has been made aware of the arrest of an out-of-Council Scout leader from downstate New York for an incident involving youth on a private camping trip in the Cranberry Lake area of St. Lawrence County,” Mr. Armstrong said in his statement. “Longhouse Council has confirmed that both the alleged offender and the youth involved were not affiliated with any local area scouting unit or Longhouse Council.”

Mr. Armstrong added that despite the report, the Boy Scouts of America remains committed to the highest standards of youth protection. The scouts’ nationally recognized youth protection efforts and training for adults can be found at: http://wdt.me/aaeDA7.

State police Senior Investigator Timothy J. Peets said the allegations that led to Kelsey’s arrest were shared with police Sunday. He also said Kelsey had been suspended in October by the Boy Scouts.

On Tuesday afternoon, Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Rob Rolison issued a statement calling for Kelsey to resign from his office.

“The news regarding the charges against Legislator Michael Kelsey are sad and deeply disturbing,” Rolison stated. “We must be mindful that the allegations involve children and so our concern, first and foremost, must be for their safety and well-being,” Mr. Rolison said. “While he is allowed due process in a court of law, given the severity of the charges it is in the best interest of all for Michael Kelsey to step down from his position as legislator at this time.”

Kelsey is an attorney and a part-time professor at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, where he teaches law and philosophy. Kelsey was a member of the Dutchess County Mental Hygiene Board for eight years. He also operates AWAY Adventure Outfitter and Guide Service, which designs kayaking and hiking trips.

Marist College spokesman Greg Cannon said Kelsey taught a philosophy class in 2008 and has taught philosophy classes at the private Poughkeepsie-based college regularly since the fall of 2010.

The college is currently looking into whether Kelsey has given his final exam for the semester, and if not, the school will arrange for someone else to give it for him, he said.

“Given the arrest, he won’t be teaching at the college again in the forseeable future,” Mr. Cannon said.